Travel Training Program Educates People with Disabilities and Older Adults on How to Use Public Transportation

(Published: 07-15-2015)

RTA Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace join the more than 56 million Americans with disabilities in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The law, signed by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990, ensures the civil rights of people with disabilities. The legislation established a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities and has expanded opportunities for people with disabilities including the provision of accessible public transportation services that help to eliminate barriers and enable full participation in community life.

“I live in Forest Park and the take Pace buses regularly,” says Elaine B., a rider with a disability who completed the RTA Travel Training Program. “Riding our region’s transit system allows me to travel to the places I need to go and more fully enjoy my life.”

The RTA program offers training tailored to meet each participant’s need, including individual and group training sessions.

In addition, the RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace offer various programs that assist qualified riders in lowering their cost to ride transit. Reduced and free fares are available to seniors, persons with disabilities, Medicare card holders, and military personnel. For more information, please visit the RTA website at http://www.rtachicago.com/rider-resources/reduced-fare.

Regional riders with disabilities like Elaine B. are available for media interviews related to the ADA anniversary. Please contact Susan Massel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

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About the RTA

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is the only transit agency charged with regional financial oversight, funding, and transit planning for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace bus and paratransit. Riders take more than two million trips each weekday on the RTA region’s transit system in six counties with 7,200 transit route miles throughout Northeastern Illinois. The Agency also provides customer services including online and telephone travel planning assistance and travel training for seniors and people with disabilities. For more information, visit www.RTAchicago.org.